Here it is, the November block for the Growing Up QAL,
designed by my fellow blogger, Alida, of Alida Tweloq Designs.
This also happens to be the last block for the QAL, so now it's on to arranging all of them, and going through Alida's suggested sashing ideas. A lot left to do!
For this month, I went with block 2, as I had difficulty figuring out where to put my three colors, red, white, and blue in block 1. This block design just worked a bit better for three colors.
Notice I was a bit of a messy paper piecer.
But once the edges were trimmed, it was pretty again.
Unfortunately, I don't have any hints on sewing this one this time. For the curves, I just suggest going slow, don't pull on the fabric, and let the machine do the work.
Sometimes things end up perfect, and sometimes they don't. In this picture, some points are spot on, others lopped off, and some too long.
Maybe if I'd kept the paper on, things would have been different? Can't say I do enough curved paper piecing to know what works.
As for the layout, I hope to get to it in January, as December is really busy - I'll keep you posted!
Happy Quilting!
Took a break from the charm squares to put together block 10 for the Growing Up QAL.
Alida of Alida Tweloq Designs designed this paper pieced block, which is an easy block to learn the technique on. The block is designed using four fabrics, but once again, I modified that to fit with my red/white/blue theme.
I don't do a ton of paper piecing, though when I do, I like to use the freezer paper piecing technique, though I didn't use it here. I just love how freezer paper holds the pieces in place, and not only is there no paper to tear out of seams, but the freezer paper is reusable for a couple blocks. It's all about time savings and less work!
Anyway, there's another trick I've picked up about matching seams when sewing paper pieced part A to part B. Not only do I use this when paper piecing, but for any other tricky seam matchup, such as those pesky angled seams in diamonds. It has saved me a ton of frustration!
So what's the trick? Match up the seams, secure with a pin if necessary, and here's the secret - use a long stitch length to take just a few stitches at the seam.
The above picture is where the red meets white in QAL block. The below picture is where white meets blue.
Just needs a few stitches to check the seam matchup accuracy. Let's open it up an have a look.
Here's the red to white. Maybe a bit off, but still forms a nice point.
And where the white meets blue looks pretty good.
I'm pretty pleased with those matchups, and will now sew the entire seam. If I wasn't pleased, those few stitches would get ripped out, and I'd try again until the seams matched perfectly.
After the entire seam is sewn at a normal stitch length, the seam looks great!
And that's the beauty of taking these few, large stitches. No need to rip out the entire seam length, nor little, tiny stitches. I've managed to avoid a ton of frustration matching these seams.
So the next time you need to match up any tricky seam, think about those few, longer stitches to test the match - they'll make you're sewing time more enjoyable.
Happy Quilting - really!
Getting this block done just in a nick of time!
This is the September block for the Growing Up QAL, hosted by Alida at Alida Tweloq Designs.
The block skill this month uses bias tape applique, and before jumping in, I played with color arrangement in EQ7 so that I could maintain the red/white/blue theme.
After sewing the background pieces together, a 1" cream WOF strip was made into tape for applique. I did not make bias tape because I was not going to form the tape around any curves. A straight WOF cut is fine here.
Using Clover's handy-dandy tape maker tool,
the 1" strip made a generous 1/2" tape.
Next time though, I think I'll use a bit wider strip, 1 1/8" or 1 1/4" because the folded edges are a bit narrow, and they don't touch in the center. For pressing and sewing purposes, a bit wider strip would have been nice.
But no need here, as it was short, straight lines.
So were am I in this QAL? Here's all of my blocks so far, one for every month except for two in February.
Quite the great array of blocks! Let me know if you're making these to - it's fun to share!
Happy Quilting!
Feel free to share this post with your friends!
Back again with August block to add to my collection for the Growing Up QAL, hosted by Alida over at Alida Tweloq Designs.
This month is the Bargello technique, which was actually quite fun! Because my fabric choices for this QAL are red/white/blue, I played with color arrangements EQ7 before deciding on this layout for those colors.
What started as this strip set,
ended as this block.
At first, it seemed silly to cut two strips the same color, then sew them back together. But using rectangles in a Bargello won't work. Had to tell myself to let it go, and follow the instructions. And I'm pretty happy with the results!
Are you sewing along? If so, I'd love to hear from you!
Have a great weekend!
Block 7 of Alida's Growing Up QAL, over at Alida Tweloq Designs, is a wrap!
Continued in my color scheme of red, white, and blue, this design uses the English paper piecing technique, something I've not tried before. Would I do more of this type of piecing? Only if I were travelling and didn't have a sewing machine around!
But it was good to learn a new skill, which is what the Growing Up QAL is all about. If you want to try new sewing skills, join in!
Have a great weekend!
I've done a pretty good job keeping up with Alida's Growing Up QAL, found over at Alida Tweloq Designs. This month's block is another great design!
Isn't it a beauty? Can't you just see four of these making up an awesome center for a QOV quilt, either pointing in,
or my favorite, bursting out.
Give you any inspiration? Hop on over to her place if you're interested in making this block or any of the others she's created!
Now that this block is done, it's time to get back to the two scrap quilts. Hope to work on them today - it's just been incredibly hot here, and I'm trying not to turn on the iron. With no AC, the motivation to do anything is pretty low. Will keep you posted!
Have a great day quilting!
This month's block of the Growing Up QAL is an improv block, right up my alley!
Using scraps from the red, cream, and navy of the other blocks, I started out making four patches.
The finished block needs to measure 12.5" x 12.5", and the easiest way to achieve that is to lay pieces on a 12.5" x 12.5" square cutting ruler. Then start playing!
After sewing the pieces on the left together, I decided I wanted a more modern, offset look on the other side.
Fortunately, there were wide enough pieces to fill in at the bottom and bring the block to 12.5".
Just need a bit more on the right side.
Hmm, not liking all the cream at the top. Maybe I'll add some red in the corner.
Much better! Now to trim to 12.5" x 12.5",
for a modern improv block! Many thanks Alida, at Alidatweloqdesigns, for a fun exercise this month!
Tomorrow, it's Midweek Makers and I'll share more progress on the aqua scrap quilt - see you then!
Getting this one done in a nick of time! Here's block 4 from Alida at Alidatweloqdesigns and her Growing QAL.
This one is all about embroidery, something I haven't done since my early teenage years. At first, I thought about couching a white thread, but wasn't happy with the thick threads or yarns that were available. So, I bit the bullet, and actually sat for a few hours to stitch this out. By hand.
I have no idea what this stitch is called, but essentially, it's up through the front, back down 1/8" or 1/4" away, and back up at the end of the first stitch. This created an overlap, and a more defined stitch.
And I also used all six strands of embroidery floss. I want this baby to be seen!
Hate to admit it, but this is probably the only QAL I've kept up with. Couldn't stick with the Honey Pot Bee, (no pun intended!) as I wasn't into the blocks. The RSC17 challenge is still a QAL I want to do, though I'm far behind. All of the January purple quilts took it out of me! Hopefully I'll catch up since the t-shirts quilts are waiting for a batting sale.
Funny how this always seems to happen. I have great intentions, then it all falls apart. Does that happen to you?
Leave a comment, and maybe we can come up with a strategy to deal with it!
Have a great weekend!
Squeezed in a bit of time to make Block 3 of Alida's Growing Up QAL, and isn't it a beauty?
This month features curved piecing, and I was fortunate to have a set of Drunkard's Path templates in my drawer that were the right size. Lucky me!
Alida talks about cutting the pieces a bit bigger to make the curved piecing not as stressful - a very good idea!
I decided I was comfortable with an extra 1/4", and cut squares so that I could cut both pieces out from that square, eliminating a lot of waste. First the pie.
Then the crust, leaving that extra 1/4" on the outside edges.
After trimming,
very little is wasted.
Stitching went smoothly, with pressing to the dark side on each set.
That way, the seams will nest when stitching the block together. And after a final trim to the correct size, and stitching for the proper layout, we have a block!
Great design on this one Alida - love it!
Have a great weekend quilting!
